Day 105 Monday 22/8/2016, Ebor to Uralla, 6-12 degrees, fog then steady soaking rain.

We wake to an icy morning and fog over Ebor in the valley below us.

We break out of the high country into soft green rolling paddocks, bare poplars and willows tinged with Spring growth. It’s no wonder that this tableland is called New England.

We had been going to spend a night in Armidale but although the buildings are grand the town does look a little depressed at present. 

We continue on to historic Uralla, which is famous for the exploits of Captain Thunderbolt the bushranger and find ourselves in a drab little caravan park that has spotless bathrooms and chooks that clean up our excess bread supplies. No free camping tonight because once more the forecast is for foul weather. Sorry about that. The afternoon is cold and wet but saved by an exceptional dinner at The Top Pub.

Like Country Life magazine, an elegant dining room warmed by an open fire, good wine, good food and that reserved New England feel. The kitchen has obviously been outsourced to a good chef and Woody complains that he has to pay for the food at one window and the drinks at the bar. The polite and efficient waitress agrees with “Yeah, it really gives you the shits doesn’t it.”

Towing Kms: 102Kms